Godfrey, IL to Waukegan, IL is 317.6 miles and takes about 6h 7m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, taking you from the Midwest region of Godfrey up to the Midwest region of Waukegan. With an 83% highway share, expect a fairly direct drive for most of the trip. This route is best suited for a single-day trip where you want to get to your destination efficiently. Plan for a straightforward drive focused on covering ground.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.8 miles from Godfrey, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
246.8 mi
4h 30m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
IL 255
7.9 mi
9m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
West State Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 246.8 mi, about 4h 30m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Godfrey, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Isabel Street
312 ft·13 sec·Isabel Street
2
Continue on Isabel Drive
0.2 mi·45 sec·Isabel Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Pearl Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pearl Street
4
Turn left onto Humbert Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Humbert Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 255 South
6
Merge onto IL 255
7.9 mi·9 min·IL 255
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 10Toward IL 111, IL 140: Alton, Bethalto
8
Keep slight left at fork
206 ft·6 sec
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
9
Turn slight left onto IL 111; IL 140
0.3 mi·36 sec·East MacArthur Drive
10
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
11
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
12
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
13
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
15
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
20
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
24
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
25
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning, around 7 or 8 AM, to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. You have a fuel cost estimate of $49, so ensure your tank is full before you depart Godfrey to maximize your driving time. With a recommended one-day duration, you can comfortably complete this trip without needing an overnight stop. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from I 55 onto the Tri-State Tollway, as this is a key point in your route.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.8 miles from Godfrey, IL, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 70 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.8 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukegan, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Godfrey, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Godfrey, IL
This is one driving day of about 317.6 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Godfrey, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 246.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.3 and 312.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
7
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
148.2 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
269.1 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
312.8 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.98 one way
$105.96 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$57.81
$115.61
premium
$5.25
$65.68
$131.37
diesel
$6.28
$78.47
$156.95
Estimated Tolls: $2.51
Tri-state Tollway
(41.8 mi)$2.51
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.3
1
$33.35
$15.24
Efficient EV
79.4
0
$27.79
$12.70
EV Truck/SUV
127
1
$44.46
$20.33
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Godfrey, IL
Late night
in Godfrey on Thursday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Thursday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
45°F
Springfield, IL
159 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 7m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 273.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 83% of this 317.6-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 246.8 miles on I 55, so you'll have plenty of time cruising at speed. After this extended highway section, you'll transition to State Route 140 for the remainder of the drive. Be prepared for a significant amount of highway exits and merges as you navigate the tollways.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 317.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
826 ft550 ft
Total Climb
466 ft
Total Descent
422 ft
Highest Point
826 ft
~158.8 mi in
Elevation Range
276 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Godfrey, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Waukegan is in the Far North Suburbs of the Chicagoland region of Illinois. It sits on Lake Michigan, has a large harbor, and is the county seat of Lake County, Illinois.
Top landmarks
•Waukegan Public Library — library in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Waukegan Building — office building in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Hotel Waukegan — historic hotel in Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 317.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 246.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.51 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Waukegan, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waukegan, IL before the return drive.
